Shephard family group

On October 26, 1855, Harriet Shephard fled enslavement in Columbia, Maryland, with a group that included her five children, her aunt and uncle, William Thomas Freeman, Thomas Jervis Gooseberry, and an unnamed young man. Their journey to Canada took two to three months, and included a stop in Kimberton, Pennsylvania, where Harriet and her children were separated from the rest of the group to ensure their safety.

Read the documents and resources linked below to learn more about the Shephard family group's journey. Click here to explore the social relationship map for the group.

About This Project

"Family Ties on the Underground Railroad" aims to provide new insights into the experiences of enslaved individuals and families who passed through Philadelphia between 1855 and 1857 and the covert networks that aided their escape. This prototype is part of a larger effort by the Historical Society of Pennsylvania to weave new connections between William Still's "Journal C" and his published book, The Underground Rail Road. Read more.